# Focused Work vs Focal

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Focal at none against Focused Work's 14. Focal also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and review sentiment (100% vs 85%). Focused Work's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (603 vs 1). On price, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Focused Work sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Focal asks for nothing beyond the download.

Focal holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focused Work has 603 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Focused Work's written reviews are positive against 100% of Focal's.

Focused Work ships an update weekly, Focal every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Focused Work | Focal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (603 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focused-work-pomodoro-timer/id1523968394/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focal-focus-timer/id6450650771/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **603** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 84.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 155 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Michael Tigas](https://appshunter.io/developer/1364337001) | [Jakob Vogt](https://appshunter.io/developer/1694217961) |

## What reviewers say

### Focused Work

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focused-work-pomodoro-timer/id1523968394)

This app helps users improve focus and productivity through structured timed sessions. It offers customizable timers, goal setting, and distraction blocking to build healthy work habits.

**Highlights:** Customizable focus sessions, Pomodoro and Flowmodoro templates, Distraction blocking, Reflection and goal tracking, Statistics and charts, Live Activities and widgets

**Features:** Safari Extension, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Focused Work Pro (1 month) | $2.99 | per month |
| Focused Work Pro - Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Focused Work Pro (1 month) | $6.99 | per month |
| Focused Work Pro (1 year) | $19.99 | per year |
| Focused Work Pro - Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Focused Work Pro (1 year) | $39.99 | per year |
| Little Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Small Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $9.99 | one-time |
| Massive Tip | $19.99 | one-time |
| Focused Work Pro Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |
| Focused Work Pro Lifetime | $89.99 | one-time |
| Focused Work Pro Lifetime | $119.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 GAME CHANGER
- 👍 Good app
- 👍 Good Product
- 🚀 Phenomenal
- 👍 Great productivity app!

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Shouldn't be a subscription
- 🐛 Reminders are annoying
- 🔒 Stop nagging people for reviews
- 🔒 App for iwatch is still missing in 2025.
- 🔒 Could be an amazing timer

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Stuck on a session: Gap time
- Desktop doesn't sync with phone

**Requested features**

- Need iwatch app
- Calendar integration?
- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard


### Focal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focal-focus-timer/id6450650771)

Enhance your concentration and manage tasks with timed work sessions and restorative breaks. This tool helps minimize distractions, encouraging deep work and mindful relaxation. Stay on track with customizable notifications and live updates on your home screen.

**Highlights:** Smart focus sessions based on research, Rejuvenating break timer, Customizable notifications, Live Activity on widgets, Distraction-free work slots

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Focused Work free?

Focused Work is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Focal free?

Focal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Focused Work or Focal?

Focal is rated higher. Focused Work averages 4.7 out of 5 from 603 ratings, while Focal averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Focused Work or Focal have ads?

Neither Focused Work nor Focal shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Focused Work or Focal?

Focused Work ships an update weekly, and Focal every 2 months. Most recently, Focused Work was updated on October 7, 2026 and Focal on September 23, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*